Anyone who has experienced back pain will be able to vouch that its one of the biggest contributors to loss in quality of life. It seems no one is immune from back pain with about 80% of Aussies experiencing back pain at some stage in their life.

More to the point, for 85% of back pain cases a cause cannot be established. The back is such a complex mechanical structure with so many abnormalities and structural faults; it could be lots of things. What has been established is that severity, duration, and frequency of back pain can be related to the function of the core stabiliser muscles. It was Josef Pilates who started talking about these 'inner muscles' in the first part of the 20th century and it seems that it has taken over 100 years for us to really click on to this important component of fitness.

Most people are aware of the big 'prime movers' around the back and stomach such as the abdominals, obliques and erector spinae muscles that make movement of the lumbar spine possible. In most exercise routines these muscle groups are included with variations of abdominal crunches and back extensions. Did you know however, that up to two thirds of the support of your spine is not from these big muscles, but from the core stabilisers deep inside?

The core stabilisers provide three key roles to the human body:

<ol> <li>Stiffen the joints for support</li> <li>Guide and control movement to reduce wear and tear</li> <li>Brace the region for additional support and transfer of force</li> </ol>

In order to ensure that these muscles are trained to do their job and remain alert for the entire day it is suggested to incorporate some simple exercises as part of your regular routines. Core stability exercises include a combination of gentle and controlled movements. There are floor exercises which make equipment not a necessity; however for extra benefit you may wish to use a specific tool to assist in getting the most out of your workout.

So if you do find yourself experiencing back pain, tightness or just want to improve on that posture try some core stability exercises today